âHouse Tven will withdraw from this alliance.â
âThe Holy Kingdom of Schper is also going to withdraw.â
âSame goes for House VellenâŠâ
The warriors whoâd sparred against Raon shook their heads and refused the alliance with the Five Divine Orders.
Unlike Zieghart and the Magic Tower, they didnât leave the conference room. Instead, they looked like they had firmly decided not to join the alliance.
âWould you reconsider?â
Ariel lightly tapped the table while looking into the eyes of the leaders who had refused the alliance.
âUnlike Sir Raon, who is from Zieghart, we have a lot of shortcomings. This is a great opportunity for us to fill each otherâs gaps.â
She extended her hand while examining everyone in the conference room one after the other, including the ones whoâd decided to withdraw.
âIt would be helpful indeed. HoweverâŠâ
Dumptkan smiled bitterly while looking at Raonâs seat.
âAs he said, they wonât be our achievements even if we managed something with the help of others. Weâd like to accomplish them with our own power, even if it doesnât end up being anything important.â
He calmly shook his head, showing that he had no intention of changing his mind.
âI agree. Iâd like to gain a real feat instead of a fake one, even if it must be small.â
Biten smiled faintly while meeting Dumptkanâs eyes. A few other warriors nodded in agreement.
âWe do trust the Five Divine Orders, but there are many things to discuss before sealing the alliance.â
âThe same goes for us. Weâd like to decide on the alliance after coming to a consensus about the conditions.â
âHmm, same goes for usâŠâ
The heads of the other factions didnât blatantly refuse the alliance, but they were looking at the Thespian Emperor cautiously.
âHaaâŠâ
Ariel covered her forehead with her hand and pressed on her temple.
âRaon Zieghart again. What the hell is heâŠ?â
Even the other heads of the Five Divine Orders didnât know about the Praat Divine Word Technique, which consisted of incorporating oneâs will into their voice to easily convince the target.
She couldnât understand when or how Raon had managed to notice it and cancel it out.
âItâs impossible no matter how I think about it.â
The fact that he was using his will like that despite being just a Master, the way his personality changed constantly, and the way heâd managed to predict her plan and counterattacked it was already surprising enough.
However, her heart had almost skipped a beat when Raon noticed the Praat Divine Word Technique and destroyed the flow by covering it with his will.
âI almost showed my true nature.â
She was engulfed by the urge to kill him when sheâd seen Raonâs sneer.
Fortunately, her own cold bloodlust helped her suppress her emotions.
âWhat are you planning on doing now?â
The Demon Slaying Spear whistled while looking up at Ariel.
âYou told us to leave it to you since you were confident about being able to convince them.â
He giggled, asking if that was how her plan was supposed to be.
âThespian Emperor.â
The Demonblade created an aura barrier and glared at her with bloodlust.
âAre you planning to leave him alone? Itâd be better to eliminate him as soon as possible.â
âDonât try anything funny.â
The Queen of Swords interfered inside the aura barrier and slowly raised her eyebrows.
âDid he say anything wrong?â
She looked down on Demonblade with eyes as deep as an abyss.
âFeats attained with other peopleâs names are meaningless. We shouldâve started it with our own strength from the beginning.â
âWhy would you take a long way when we have a shortcut?! Taking very slight advantage of the Six Kings and the Five Demonsâ names makes a huge difference in the outcome!â
âHe already told you, didnât he? Itâs just a fake achievement in the end.â
âWe just need to make the fake into the real one!â
The Five Divine Orders even started to have an internal conflict because of Raon.
They didnât get along to begin with, but now they were even worse, their furious pressures making it feel like they were about to draw their swords.
Ariel closed his eyes while watching the two argue.
âAmazing.â
On top of destroying the alliance, heâd even pried open the rift within the Five Divine Orders. Heâd caused them a ridiculous amount of trouble on his own.
âBut I wonât be defeated yet.â
The real plan hadnât even started. Since the important day was approaching soon, it was necessary to be patient instead of getting angry.
âYou idiot! Donât underestimate how difficult it is to make history!â
âA fake achievement wonât be able to make history either. The reason our Blade Martial Pavillion joined the Five Divine Orders was to reveal our true selves.â
âStop.â
The Demonblade and the Queen of Swords closed their mouths upon hearing Arielâs quiet voice.
âIâll have to take a roundabout route, but I can deal with it. Donât worry about it.â
She removed the Demonbladeâs aura barrier and walked up to the heads of the neutral factions that were discussing the alliance.
âWhat youâve said is right. We need to properly talk about it before deciding on the alliance. Iâve already prepared a few ideasâŠâ
Ariel told the heads of the neutral factions the plan sheâd come up with and started to convince them one by one.
ââŠâŠâ
âTsk.â
The Queen of Swords closed her eyes once again, and the Demonblade briefly clicked his tongue.
âHuhâŠâ
The Demon Slaying Spear gasped while watching Arielâs back.
âIs she seriously not getting angry when the situation went completely wrong? Sheâs even more frightening than I thought.â
* * *
* * *
âWait, you couldâve told us after eating. Why would you say that beforehandâŠ?â
âI know, right? I lost my appetite.â
âOur vice division leader seriously canât read the mood.â
The Light Wind swordsmen complained while looking at the warm food in front of them.
âHeâs always been like that. Donât mind him and just start eating.â
Martha furrowed her brow, saying that they wouldnât be able to endure the training without eating.
âSheâs right. You should eat if you have time to complain. This is our only chance to feast.â
Burren sighed and peeled the shell of his grilled lobster.
âRaon, damn uglyâŠâ
Runaan sighed deeply while picking up her pigâs feet.
âRunaan! I canât accept that!â
Encia had been grinning while taking Raonâs pictures but briskly stood up upon hearing her complaint. She shook her head, saying that it was pretty much an insult.
âRaon is damn ugly today.â
âBlasphemy!â
Encia ran towards Runaan while saying that it could never be acknowledged.
The restaurant was so noisy, but Raon couldnât spare any attention to Encia or the Light Wind division.
Put the chili sauce on the lobster, and mustard on the shrimp! As for the pigâs feet, let's go with pepper⊠no, mustard!
Raon was busy eating the food that Wrath was ordering.
âWhy are there so many spicesâŠ?â
There were only six kinds of food, but there were more than 15 different spices.
Because Wrath had declared that heâd try out all the food and spices in order to figure out the best combination possible, Raonâs hands were moving restlessly.
Ehehehe!
Wrath smiled brightly while rubbing his swollen stomach.
I like this place. The food is excellent, and the huge number of spices is adding to the variety! Are we in heaven right now?
âHeavenâŠ?â
Heâd just said heaven when he was a demon king. It definitely wasnât something that a demon shouldâve said.
Haa! Your hand is idle! Dip the pizza in that white sauce next!
Wrath instructed him about the next food with his round hand, scolding him for idling around.
âI never thought it would be so annoying.â
Raon regretted telling him that heâd eat anything he wanted because he had to join the conference. He had the feeling that his night training was going to start rather late.
âHaaâŠâ
Raon sighed, after shoving the pigâs feel, lobster, and salad into his mouth one after the other, and Denning Rose put her fork down.
âSir Raon, I believe you are already aware, but it should be impossible for the Light Wind division to win the fighting competition.â
Denning Rose continued to speak while wiping her red lips with her napkin.
âThe age limit of forty implies that warriors at the beginner or over the intermediate level of Master will be participating, and the Five Divine Orders will be sending people at the advanced or highest level Master.â
She shook her head, saying that she was well aware of how excellent the Light Wind division was compared to their age, but they wouldnât be able to win the competition.
âIndeed.â
Raon nodded.
âThe reason they are hosting it is to show off their might.â
There was a good reason as to why they were holding a fighting competition with a valuable reward.
They were planning to defeat the famous future prospects from the neutral factions and the Six Kings to increase their reputation.
They mustâve been planning to send the young and powerful warriors in their thirties to seize all of the rewards and honor.
âBut donât worry about it.â
Raon smiled faintly at Denning Rose.
âBecause the Light Wind division is going to be the last one to remain.â
âWhat? But howâŠ?â
âAbout thatâŠâ
Next up is lobster with tomato sauce!
ââŠYou will find out when it happens.â
Raon sighed and picked up his fork once again.
âHow long do I have to continue?â
Until the King of Essenceâs stomach is full!
âBut itâs already bulging.â
He has a separate stomach for desserts!
âHaaâŠâ
Raon was shoving more food into his mouth according to Wrathâs orders, and Encia returned to him.
âRaon, damn handsomeâŠâ
Raon looked aside, and Runaan was staring blankly at the ceiling.
The damn ugly had become damn handsome, but he didnât want to find out what had happened.
âI went to rehabilitate the bad faith!â
Encia bowed at Raon to apologize and lifted the camera once again.
âIâll give you time for that later on, so please enjoy your meal for now.â
Raon gave a fork to Encia. He had no intention of giving her that time, but he didnât want to feel uncomfortable during his meal.
âThank you.â
Encia took the fork while asking him to make the pose she wanted when that happened.
âAh, there was something I wanted to give you.â
Raon waved his hand at Dorian.
âCan you take it out for me?â
âHow am I supposed to know what that is?!â
Dorian put his hand inside his belly pocket, a lot of barbecue sauce covering his mouth.
By the time his hand came back out, he was holding a drakeâs heart.
âIs this the one?â
âCorrect.â
Raon nodded while accepting the drakeâs heart.
How did he even figure it out? Are you speaking a secret language between you two?
Wrath couldnât understand and tilted his round chin while looking at Raon and Dorian.
âIâm curious whenever I see it.â
Encia licked her lips while looking at Dorianâs belly pocket. She seemed to want that artifact.
âIf I had one, I could take millions of picturesâŠâ
âHieeh!â
Dorian freaked out and stepped back.
âIâm just kidding. Itâs a joke.â
Encia shook her hand, flames bursting from her eyes.
âSo, this is the drakeâs heart.â
She put down her camera and examined the drakeâs heart from different angles before she nodded.
âIt looks good. Itâs properly separated, and it was stored nicely as well! The quality goes without saying.â
Encia smiled in satisfaction, saying that it was of the highest quality.
âSo do I just need to bring the sea serpentâs heart to make the artificial energy center?â
âYes. I have the common materials, so that should be enough.â
âThank you.â
Raon bowed to Encia.
âSo, itâs happening soon.â
Just like heâd revived Rimmer, he would soon be able to give Sylvia her new vitality. His heart pounded rapidly in anticipation.
âJust a little bit more, andâŠâ
Shrimp!
âOkayâŠâ
* * *
Burp!
Wrath let out a small burp while patting his pot belly.
Heâll let you off the hook with this for today.
ââŠLet me off the hook, you said?â
He was finally done after he checked all of the combinations of food and spices, made some additional orders, and even got some ice cream as a dessert.
Raon wanted to complain to the Demon God about why he wasnât the demon king of binge eating.
Raon exhaled roughly and lowered his shoulders.
âIâm so tiredâŠâ
It was already hard enough to eat everything Wrath wanted, and he even had to pay attention to Encia, who was taking photos nonstop right next to him, and he felt totally exhausted as a result.
âWhy is a meal even harder than a conference?â
He briefly clicked his tongue and looked in the Light Wind division.
âI like this place. Every dish is delicious.â
âThe variety is also nice.â
âHe canât read the mood, but he chose a nice restaurant, at least.â
The Light Wind division was smiling with satisfaction. The delicious food and liquor mustâve improved their mood.
Raon clapped his hands once he confirmed that everyone had finished eating.
âHmm?â
âWhat is he planning nowâŠ?â
The peaceful atmosphere was destroyed, and the Light Wind division blinked.
âStand up since you finished eating. Since the competition is in two days, we have no time to waste.â
âN-no time to waste? Donât tell meâŠâ
Dorianâs chin trembled as he looked at Raon.
âWe need to start the training right away.â
Raon tilted his chin as if he were wondering why they were asking the obvious question.
âWe need to rest and get ourselves in our best condition precisely because itâs in two days. Why would we be training now?!â
âYeah, we donât have enough time!â
âIâm against it! We need to sleep to manage our condition!â
Krein and the Light Wind swordsmen briskly stood up, claiming that they needed to rest after the meal instead of training.
âYou can sleep after you are dead. Well, if you donât win the competitionâŠâ
Raon skipped the last part with a frightening voice.
âGasp!â
âY-you demonâŠâ
âHeâs the demon king!â
Even a demon king isnât as bad as him! We let our subordinates rest after a meal!
Wrath frantically shook his head and responded to the Light Wind division.
âWait at the training ground in front of our lodgings.â
âAre you seriousâŠ?â
âHow can a human being have a personality like thatâŠ?â
âHaa⊠My lifeâŠâ
Raon sent the Light Wind division off and went towards the counter.
âIt looks like the food suited your taste.â
The manager smiled brightly while looking at the empty dishes. It was a natural reaction since Raon had finished almost fifteen servings.
ââŠYes, it was delicious.â
He wanted to tell her that it suited the demon kingâs taste, not his, but he suppressed his urge and nodded.
âThank you for your work at this late hour.â
Raon thanked her and placed three gold coins on the counter.
âNo, you donât need to do this. They already paid the additionalâŠâ
âThe night shiftâs pay is usually twice as much.â
Raon smiled while refusing the managerâs refusal, and she finally accepted the gold coins.
âTh-thank you.â
âThank you for the meal.â
Raon said goodbye to the manager and left the restaurant. The Light Wind division, Encia, and Denning Rose mustâve already returned to the lodgings, as the road back was completely empty.
The King of Essence likes this part about you.
Wrath licked his lips while looking at Raon.
âThat Iâm eating whatever you want?â
Not that!
âWhat else?â
Humans and demons are both instinctively rude towards the weak and cower before the strong. Your life is bound to be like that the stronger you get. HoweverâŠ
He furrowed his brow while looking at Raon.
You havenât changed at all from the beginning. You must have a rock stuck in your brain because you rampage like a madman before the strong and are considerate towards the weak. You are pretty decent for a human.
âIsnât that normal?â
There are countless people who canât do that ânormalâ thing.
ââŠI guess.â
It immediately reminded him of a few peopleâincluding Derus Robert.
âNow that I think about it, why is he not here?â
Judging from Derusâ personality, he shouldâve sent an executive at least, even if he didnât attend personally. Raon couldnât understand why he didnât come.
âDid he change his mindâŠ?â
Raon was walking towards their lodgings while thinking about Derus when the trees and bushes shivered slightly.
Rustle.
The bushes were pushed apart, and a small animal with glossy fur jumped out.
âA kangaroo?â
The kangaroo had sharp ears, round legs, and an innocent-looking face.
âWhy is there a baby kangaroo hereâŠ? Ah!â
While he was examining the kangaroo, he noticed paper protruding from its pouch. The texture was familiar. He could tell that it was one of Enciaâs photos.
âSo it was your doingâŠâ
Raon tightly closed his eyes.
âThe professional mess-maker has arrivedâŠâ